Pittsburgh In Running To Possibly Host 2016 DNC

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Could Pittsburgh host the next Democratic National Convention in 2016?

Mayor Bill Peduto confirms: “We did receive a letter from the chair of the Democratic Party that requested our interest in applying, so it’s sort of the pre-application, application. And we said yes.”

However he says there are things to consider, and it’s very early in the process.

Furthermore, Pittsburgh is by no means alone in getting the letter. CNN reports that 29 other cities also received them.

Jason Fulvi, from Visit Pittsburgh, says our region could absolutely handle a convention of that size when it comes to hotel rooms and convention space and other amenities. He points to Charlotte, N.C., where the Democrats held their last convention.

“We can compete with them on other areas of business, and we believe that if Charlotte can handle this, we certainly have the facilities,” said Fulvi.

Of course, Pittsburgh made international headlines when it hosted the G-20 Summit, and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald likes the idea of our region being in the spotlight again.

“The national attention and even the world attention would be on Pittsburgh,” said Fitzgerald. “It would be one more affirmation about how Pittsburgh revitalized itself.”

Mayor Peduto says while it would bring in lots of money to the region, it also costs the host city a lot of money.

“There’s also a big price tag that usually comes with it,” said Mayor Peduto. “We just have to make sure it’s something we can afford.”

He says he’s waiting to learn what exactly would have to be addressed in a proposal to be the host city.

Among the other cities, CNN’s political director reports received the letter are: Cleveland, Columbus, Portland and Atlanta.